TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Novel Bamukmin, secretary general of the Jakarta branch of the Islamic Defender Front (FPI), filed a civil lawsuit against inactive Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama demanding him to pay punitive damages of Rp 240 million (US$18,500) in relation to a religious blasphemy case.

"We demand Ahok to publicly apologize through an advertisement on mass media," Habiburokhman, chairman of the advisory board of advocate association ACTA, told Tempo on Monday, December 5, 2016.

Habiburokhman explained that Novel suffered material and non-material damages resulted from the religious blasphemy case allegedly committed by Ahok.

Earlier, Novel also filed a criminal report against Ahok for the same case.

Habiburokhman asserted that under Article 98 of the Criminal Law Procedures Code (KUHAP) Ahok could be sued if a victim of a criminal case suffered material and non-material damages. He claimed that Novel suffered material losses when investigating the religious blasphemy case, as he had to form a fact finding team, rent a boat to depart for Thousand Islands, and interview witnesses.

Novel financed the processes from his own pocket to confirm that Ahok had committed a religious blasphemy. In addition, Novel had to leave his job as a lawyer.

"The total amount of losses is Rp 204 million plus infinite non-material losses," Habiburokhman added.

Habiburokhman hoped that the court would consider the lawsuit and order Ahok to pay the punitive damages.

Earlier, Novel was on the police's wanted list for allegedly provoking a riot when the FPI launched a protest against Ahok's inauguration as the Jakarta Governor back in October 2014. Novel later turned himself to police.

AVIT HIDAYAT